Hatsuharu

13.3

Hatsuharu

Destroyer | Japan | Tier VI

Tech Tree Position

stock

 top

General

Research price34000 exp

Purchase price2,950,000

Hit Points10,500

Main Battery

127 mm/50 3rd Year Type on a Type B mount2 х 2 pcs.

Rate of Fire8 shots/min.

Reload Time7.5 sec.

Rotation Speed7 deg./sec.

180 Degree Turn Time25.71 sec.

Firing Range9.85 km.

Maximum Dispersion88 m.

HE Shell127 mm HE Type1

Maximum HE Shell Damage2,150

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell9 %

Initial HE Shell Velocity915 m./s.

HE Shell Weight23 kg.

AP Shell127 mm AP Type0

Maximum AP Shell Damage2,200

Initial AP Shell Velocity915 m./s.

AP Shell Weight23 kg.

Torpedo Tubes

610 mm Triple2 х 3 pcs.

Rate of Fire0.82 shots/min.

Reload Time73 sec.

Rotation Speed25 deg./sec.

180 Degree Turn Time7.2 sec.

TorpedoType8

Maximum Damage14,600

Torpedo Speed63 knot

Torpedo Range6 km.

AA Defense

127 mm/50 3rd Year Type on a Type B mount2 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second20.2

. . . Firing Range5.01 km.

25 mm/60 Type 96 on a twin mount4 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second10.8

. . . Firing Range2.49 km.

Maneuverability

Maximum Speed36.5 knot

Turning Circle Radius580 m.

Rudder Shift Time3.4 sec.

Concealment

Surface Detectability Range6.46 km.

Air Detectability Range2.81 km.

Battle Levels

12345678910

13.3

Hatsuharu

Destroyer | Japan | Tier VI

Tech Tree Position

stock

 top

General

Research price34000 exp

Purchase price2,950,000

Hit Points11,700

Main Battery

127 mm/50 3rd Year Type on a Type B mount2 х 2 pcs.

Rate of Fire8 shots/min.

Reload Time7.5 sec.

Rotation Speed7 deg./sec.

180 Degree Turn Time25.71 sec.

Firing Range10.84 km.

Maximum Dispersion88 m.

HE Shell127 mm HE Type1

Maximum HE Shell Damage2,150

Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell9 %

Initial HE Shell Velocity915 m./s.

HE Shell Weight23 kg.

AP Shell127 mm AP Type0

Maximum AP Shell Damage2,200

Initial AP Shell Velocity915 m./s.

AP Shell Weight23 kg.

Torpedo Tubes

610 mm Triple2 х 3 pcs.

Rate of Fire0.79 shots/min.

Reload Time76 sec.

Rotation Speed25 deg./sec.

180 Degree Turn Time7.2 sec.

TorpedoType8 mod. 2

Maximum Damage16,267

Torpedo Speed59 knot

Torpedo Range9.99 km.

AA Defense

127 mm/50 3rd Year Type on a Type B mount2 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second20.2

. . . Firing Range5.01 km.

25 mm/60 Type 96 on a single mount14 х 1 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second25.2

. . . Firing Range2.49 km.

25 mm/60 Type 96 on a triple mount3 х 3 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second9.9

. . . Firing Range2.49 km.

25 mm/60 Type 96 on a twin mount1 х 2 pcs.

. . . Average Damage per Second2.7

. . . Firing Range2.49 km.

Maneuverability

Maximum Speed36.5 knot

Turning Circle Radius580 m.

Rudder Shift Time2.3 sec.

Concealment

Surface Detectability Range6.46 km.

Air Detectability Range2.81 km.

Battle Levels

12345678910

VI

2,950,000

Hatsuharu — Japanese Tier VI destroyer.

Hatsuharu was a high performance ship despite displacement limitations imposed by the London Naval Treaty of 1930. The ship boasted a comparatively good AA defense. The powerful main battery guns were placed in enclosed turret mounts and could deliver anti-aircraft fire.

Modules

	Rate of Fire (shots/min)	180° Turn Time (sec)	Maximum Dispersion (m)	Maximum HE Shell Damage (HP)	Chance of Fire on Target Caused by HE Shell (%)	Maximum AP Shell Damage (HP)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
127 mm/50 3rd Year Type on a Type B mount	8	25.7	88	2,150	9	2,200		0	190,000

	Hit Points (HP)	Armor (mm)	Armor (mm)	Main Turrets (pcs.)	Secondary Gun Turrets (pcs.)	AA Mounts (pcs.)	Torpedo Tubes (pcs.)	Hangar Capacity (pcs.)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
Hatsuharu (A)	10,500	6	20	2		4/2	2			0	245,000
Hatsuharu (B)	11,700	6	20	2		14/1/3/2	2			10,000	1,000,000

	Rate of Fire (shots/min)	Torpedo Tubes Reload Time (sec)	180° Turn Time (sec)	Maximum Damage (HP)	Torpedo Speed (knot)	Torpedo Range (km)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
Type8 mod. 1	0.8	73	7.2	14,600	63	6		0	180,000
Type8 mod. 2	0.8	76	7.2	16,266	59	10		4,000	400,000

	IDS_SHIP_PARAM_SUO_INCREASE_DIST (%)	Maximum Firing Range (km)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
Type6 mod. 1		0		0	105,000
Type6 mod. 2		0		3,200	220,000

	Maximum Speed (knot)		Research price (exp)	Purchase price ()
Propulsion: 42,000 hp	36.5		0	110,000

Compatible Upgrades

Slot 1
Slot 2
Slot 3
Slot 4

Player Opinion

Performance

As a part of the Japanese destroyer line re-organization and expansion in Update 0.5.15, Hatsuharu falls one tier to her new home at Tier VI. There have been a few minor tweaks to Hatsuharu with the change, but she is largely the same. As before, upgrading to Hull (B) increases her health and anti-aircraft battery, but costs her one of her main battery guns. She retains the same twin triple-tube launchers she had previously. Her detection radius remains 6.7 km, while she loses minor amounts of speed and maneuverability from her previous incarnation. Captains who believed that Hatsuharu was under-gunned in her previous slot at Tier VII will likely be more comfortable with her armament one tier lower.

On the other hand, new Japanese destroyer captains who are moving up to Hatsuharu from Minekaze will find their new acquisition to be something a mixed bag: her guns are a significant upgrade from those of Minekaze, while it can be argued that her torpedo armament is a downgrade. Not only is she less flexible with only two torpedo launchers, the reload time is very nearly double that of Minekaze; in exchange, Hatsuharu’s torpedoes can eventually be upgraded to longer-ranged with a bigger punch. Further complicating things is the fact that her torpedo upgrade is locked behind Hull (B), meaning captains must invest experience in the hull upgrade first before having the ability to upgrade her torpedoes.

Without her improved torpedoes, Hatsuharu is stuck with fish that have a paltry 6.0 km range. This forces Hatsuharu into more of a mid-tier American destroyer play style, requiring captains to utilize islands and smoke effectively to land successful torpedo strikes against enemy capital ships. Hatsuharu plays like a completely different ship once she has her upgraded torpedoes, however. The 10.0 km range of her Type 8 mod. 2 torpedoes is more than workable, and her guns can add notable contributions to her damage when used judiciously in the right situations.

Hatsuharu comes off as the inferior destroyer when compared side-by-side with Fubuki, but things flip back the other way one tier up when the same comparison is made between the successors of both ships (Akatsuki and Shiratsuyu). Captains frustrated with Hatsuharu should remember that she is merely a stepping-stone to better things beyond.

Pros:

• Improved guns gain significantly increased fate of fire, range, and shell arcs.
• Lowest detection range of Tier VI destroyers.
• Decent torpedo speed makes her torpedoes harder to dodge.
• Generous torpedo launch arcs.

Cons:

• Turret traverse and rate of fire remain inferior to American destroyer guns.
• Poor armor.
• Fewer torpedoes than Fubuki: only two triple-tube launchers compared to Fubuki’s three.
• Slower than predecessor Minekaze, with worse detection range to boot.

Research

Like the other Tier VI Japanese destroyer, Fubuki, Hatsuharu is painful to play until Hull (B) and the Torpedo upgrade module are unlocked and equipped. Those need to be top priority. Save the Fire Control System module for last, or skip it altogether and move on to Shiratsuyu.

Optimal Configuration

Upgrades

Mid-tier destroyers like Hatsuharu don't have many outstanding options for upgrades. Main Armaments Modification 1 is the best pick for Upgrade Slot 1, while Propulsion Modification 1 is recommended in Upgrade Slot 4. Propulsion Modification 2 is the best pick of a sorry lot for Upgrade Slot 5. Upgrade Slot 2 offers either Aiming Systems Modification 1 or Main Battery Modification 2; either provides a minor boost to Hatsuharu’s main battery.

Commander Skills

Tier 1's Basic Firing Training and Tier 5's Concealment Expert are easy choices for Hatsuharu commander skills. The tiers in between offer an array of options.

Tier 2 brings a pair of outstanding choices in Torpedo Armament Expertise and Last Stand. The former is best for more offensive-minded captains looking to maximize their damage output; the latter is recommended for captains with longevity in mind. Expert Marksman is also a decent place to invest skill points later on after taking Concealment Expert. Superintendent is the best of the lot at Tier 3. Vigilance is a good skill for players wanting to provide additional help screening teammates from torpedoes, while High Alert is another possible option for captains who anticipate finding themselves under fire frequently.

While there are no stand-out skills at Tier 4, it contains two moderately decent options: Survivability Expert and Advanced Firing Training. The first or last are good options for captains seeking a general skill that will help them in almost any game: Survivability Expert for those focused on staying alive, Advanced Firing Training for the more offensive-minded looking to get the most out of Hatsuharu’s guns.

Recommended Commander Skills
Cost (points)	Endurance		Attack		Support		Versatility
1	Priority Target Situational Awareness indicator will show the number of opponents currently aiming at you with main battery guns. ★	Preventative Maintenance -30% to the risk of incapacitation of main turrets, torpedo tubes, steering gear, engines. ★★★	Expert Loader -50% to reload time when shell type is switched.	Air Supremacy -5% aircraft restoration time.	Direction Center for Fighters +1 fighter to carrier fighter squadrons or catapult fighters.	Improved Engine Boost +10% Aircraft engine boost time.	Incoming Fire Alert Indicator of long-range enemy artillery fire.	Last Gasp Completely restores the engine boost for the last attack flight of the carrier's planes.
2	High Alert -10% to reload time of Damage Control Party consumable. ★	Jack of All Trades -5% to reload time of all consumables. ★★	Expert Marksman +2.5 deg/sec to traverse speed of guns with a caliber up to 139mm. +0.7 deg/sec to traverse speed of guns with a caliber above 139mm. ★	Torpedo Acceleration +5 knots to torpedo speed. -20% to torpedo range. ★	Smoke Screen Expert +20% to the radius of the smoke screen. ★	Improved Engines +2.5% Squadron speed.	Adrenaline Rush -0.2% to reload times of all types of armament for each 1% of total health lost. +0.2% squadron speed for each 1% of total health lost. ★★	Last Stand The ship remains able to move and maneuver while the engine or steering gears are incapacitated. ★★★
3	Basics of Survivability -15% to time of repair, fire extinguishing, and recovery from flooding. ★★	Survivability Expert +350 ship HP for each ship tier. +15 aircraft HP for each ship tier. ★	Torpedo Armament Expertise -10% to reload time of torpedo tubes. ★★	Aircraft Armor Reduces continuous damage to aircraft in all AA defense zones. -10% continuous damage.	Basic Firing Training -10% to reload time of main battery guns with a caliber up to and including 139mm and all secondary battery guns. +10% to continuous damage from AA guns.	Superintendent +1 additional charge to all consumables mounted on a ship. ★★★	Demolition Expert +2% chance of HE shells causing a fire on target. +1% chance of rockets causing a fire on target. +5% chance of HE bombs causing a fire on target.	Vigilance +25% to detection range of enemy torpedoes. ★
4	Manual Fire Control for Secondary Armament Tightens dispersion of shells from secondary batteries. -15% for Tier I-VI ships. -60% for Tier VII-X ships. Manually selected target only.	Fire Prevention -10% to the risk of fire. The maximum number of fires on a ship is reduced to three.	Inertia Fuse for HE Shells +30% to the armor penetration capacity of HE shells. -1% chance of fire on target caused by shells <=139mm. -3% chance of fire on target caused by shells >139mm. ★	Sight Stabilization Speeds up the aiming of a carrier's aircraft. +5% attack aircraft aiming speed. +5% torpedo bomber aiming speed. +10% dive bomber aiming speed.	Advanced Firing Training +20% to firing range of main battery guns with a caliber up to 139mm and all secondary battery guns. +15% damage/sec. within the explosion radius of shells fired from long-range AA defenses. ★★	Massive AA Fire Instantaneous Damage +100%. Priority AA sector cooldown +50%.	Radio Position Finding Shows the direction to the nearest enemy ship. The enemy is alerted that a bearing has been taken. ★★	Concealment Expert -10% to the detection radius of all ships and aircraft. ★★★
Key: ★★★ - Extremely Useful       ★★ - Frequently Useful       ★ - Occasionally Useful      No stars - Meh     Χ - Not recommended

Consumables

All destroyers should invest credits (or doubloons) in Damage Control Party II. Engine Boost II probably isn't worth it — Hatsuharu’s speed isn't amazing, but it's not awful either — while Smoke Generator II likely is, especially if her commander does not have the Concealment Expert skill.

Camouflage

Type 1, 2, or 5 camouflage can be equipped for credits; Types 1 or 5 are recommended at a minimum to reduce detectibility range.

Players who wish to spend doubloons can equip Hatsuharu with Type 16 camouflage that lowers her detection radius, reduces the accuracy of incoming shells, and increases the amount of experience she earns.

Gallery

• 

  Hatsuharu scouts ahead for her team.

• 

  Hatsuharu launches her torpedoes at the enemies entering the capture point.

• 

  Hatsuharu attempts to dodge incoming shells from multiple enemy vessels.

• 

  Hatsuharu prepares to attack an enemy Gneisenau.

Historical Info

Construction

Sasebo Dockyard; Nagasaki, Japan

Laid down: 14 May 1931

Launched: 27 February 1933

Commissioned: 30 September 1933

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Specifications

1,490tons displacement, standard

109.5m length

10m beam

3.03m draft

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Machinery

3 boilers, 2 turbines

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Performance

36.5 knots at 42,000 shaft horsepower

6,000nm at 15 knots

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Armament

Main

Five (2x2, 1x1) 127mm guns

Anti-aircraft

Two (2x1) 13mm guns

Torpedoes

Nine (3x3) 610mm torpedo tubes

History

Design

The Hatsuharu-class (初春) destroyers were designed to accompany the Japanese main striking force and to conduct both day and night torpedo attacks against the United States Navy as it advanced across the Pacific Ocean, according to Japan's naval strategic projections. They were to be armed much as the Fubuki-class despite displacing only 1400 tons compared to the 1700 tons of the earlier destroyers. Furthermore their fire control systems were to be more modern than the older systems and suitable for anti-aircraft use. This required the gun turrets to be modified for high-angle fire, which also meant more powerful motors to traverse and elevate the guns more quickly to engage high-speed aircraft. The torpedo launchers were to be given a protective shield to allow for use in heavy weather and to protect against splinter damage. And the Hatsuharu vessels were to be fitted with modern, enclosed command spaces protected against strafing aircraft. These requirements could only be met by adding weight high up on the ship and increased the ship's center of gravity. The only way to adhere to the allotted displacement was to try to reduce the weight of the hull and other equipment below the waterline as much as possible. But this put the ship's designers in a no-win situation as any reduction of weight below the waterline further raised the ship's center of gravity and reduced her stability.

The weight of the hull could generally be reduced by using higher grades of steel that were lighter and smaller for the same strength, reducing dimensions, particularly length, or using advanced construction techniques like welding that saved weight over the conventional riveting. The Japanese used the same high tensile steel for the Hatsuharu class as they did for the older destroyers and chose not to increase the power of the turbines and boilers to achieve the desired high speed, but lengthened the hull to offset the reduced power of the light-weight machinery. The beam was increased to counter some of the extra top-weight, but the draft was reduced to reduce hull resistance, which also reduced stability by lessening the area of the hull beneath the waterline in comparison to the area above it, which was subject to pressure from the wind. Electric welding was extensively used to reduce weight although it was at an early stage of development in Japan and was still problematic.

Extensive weight-saving measures were used during the design and construction of the hull. More frames of lighter construction were spaced more closely together to reduce the thickness of the hull plating and the extensive use of welding (only the longitudinal strength members and a few other parts were riveted) were some of the techniques utilized to reduce hull weight by 66.5 tonnes (65.4 long tons; 73.3 short tons) in comparison to the Fubuki class. The Hatsuharu vessels were some 10 meters (32 ft 10 in) shorter than the Fubuki-class vessels, but weighed 4.9 tonnes (4.8 long tons; 5.4 short tons) per 1 meter (3.3 ft) of hull length compared to the latter's 5.09 tonnes (5.01 long tons; 5.61 short tons) per 1 meter (3.3 ft).

The Hatsuharu-class ships were shorter than their predecessors, at 109.5m (359 ft 3 in) overall. The ships had a beam of 10 metres and at full load a draft of 3.35 m (11 ft 0 in). Despite the emphasis on weight-saving during construction, the ships were significantly overweight as completed and displaced 1,530 metric tons (1,510 long tons) at standard load, and 1,981 metric tons (1,950 long tons) at full load, nearly 130 metric tons (100 long tons) more than planned.

The hull of the Hatsuharu-class vessels retained the general configuration of the Fubuki-class destroyers with a long forecastle and a pronounced flare of the forecastle to improve sea-keeping at high speeds by adding buoyancy and reducing the spray and water coming over the deck. A large bridge structure was located at the aft end of the forecastle deck topped by four fire control stations of various types. Lowest, just above the compass bridge, was the torpedo director (Hassha shikisho), with the gunnery fire direction station (Shageki shikisho) next above. The fire director tower (Hōiban shagekito) was third from the bottom and behind it was the 3m (9 ft 10 in) rangefinder. Each of these was protected by 10mm (0.39 in) plates of Dücol steel against strafing and shell splinters.

For the first time in a Japanese destroyer a superfiring turret was fitted forward of the bridge. It was only a single gun Model A turret, to save weight high in the ship, and was mounted on a deckhouse to elevate it above the twin gun Model B Mod 2 (B-gata kai-2) turret mounted on the forecastle deck. The second twin gun turret was mounted at the rear of the ship on the main deck. These turrets were slightly heavier than the earlier Model A and Model B turrets fitted on the Fubuki’s. All turrets were fitted with the 127mm (5.0 in) Type 3 gun.

The uptakes of the two forward boiler rooms were trunked together aft of the break in the forecastle into the fore funnel while the rear boiler room exhausted into the smaller rear funnel. Both funnels were inclined to the rear to reduce the amount of smoke that might reach the bridge. A tripod mast was fitted between the bridge and the fore funnel. Between the two funnels was the forward 61 centimeters (24 in) triple torpedo tube mount fitted on a low platform. Behind it "was a torpedo locker with its mechanical quick reload system (Kiryoku sōtenshiki jihatsu sōten sochi) for the three reserve torpedoes inside." To preserve lateral stability the aft funnel was offset to starboard while the torpedo mount was offset to port. The reload locker was also offset slightly to port and angled inboard to facilitate reloading. The middle torpedo mount was positioned behind the aft funnel on the center line, but its reload locker was positioned identically to that of the forward mount. Superimposed to starboard and overlapping the middle mount was the rear triple torpedo mount positioned on the rear deckhouse. Immediately behind the mount was its locker positioned on the center line, but angled slightly to the right so that its mount only had to traverse slightly to align with the locker and begin reloading. This was the first ship in history to be fitted with superimposed torpedo tubes, made necessary by the designer's insistence on fitting nine torpedo tubes despite the Navy's requirement for only six.

A small platform that carried a 2m (6 ft 7 in) rangefinder was mounted above the rear torpedo locker and a 90cm (2 ft 11 in) searchlight was mounted on a tower behind the rear funnel. The two license-built Vickers 40mm (1.6 in) (pom pom) anti-aircraft guns were mounted on an elevated platform at the front of the rear funnel. Curiously they were another case where the designer exceeded the requirements laid down by the Navy.

Service

Six Hatsuharu class destroyers were built and commissioned in the mid-1930s.

DesDiv 27 (Ariake, Yugure) Joined with CarDiv 2 (Hiryu, Soryu) in the Netherlands East Indies to support landings there. Engaged in convoy escort until April, 1942. Participated in the Battle of the Coral Sea. Assigned to the Aleutian diversionary force for the Battle of Midway. Participated in operations against the US landing at Guadalcanal. Continued transport and escort operations to reinforce Japanese garrisons in the Solomons.

Ariake was torpedoed and sunk by submarine on 28 July 1943.

Yugure was bombed and sunk by air attack on 20 July 1943.

DesDiv 21 (Hatsuharu, Hatsushimo, Nenohi, Wakaba) Joined operations in support of landings in the Netherlands East Indies. Participated in the Aleutian campaign. Performed convoy escort operations in the Central Pacific, 1943-1944. Participated in the Leyte campaign. Escorted Yamato in her attempt to reach Okinawa.

Hatsuharu was sunk by air attack in Manila Bay on 14 November 1944.

Hatsushimo was sunk by mine as she was evading air attack on 30 July 1945.

Nenohi was torpedoed and sunk by submarine on 4 July 1942.

Wakaba was sunk by air attack during the Battle of Leyte Gulf on 24 October 1944.

Historical Gallery

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  Hatsuharu underway, circa 1932.

• 

  Hatsuharu at anchor off Sasebo, November 1933.

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  Hatsuharu undergoing sea trials at Cape Sata, July 1934.

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  Yugure at anchor, October 1935.

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  Wakaba at anchor, 21 October 1937.

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  Hatsushimo at anchor in Qingdao, China, 28 March 1939.

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  Ariake under attack by B-25 bombers near Tuluvu, New Britain, 28 July 1943.

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  US Office of Naval Intelligence recognition drawing of Hatsuharu.

Ships of Japan

Destroyers